What are the benefits of Boy Scouting to youth?

Character development: 

Boy Scouting promotes positive character attributes by teaching boys teamwork, self-reliance, and the confidence to handle challenges that cross their paths.

Spiritual growth:

Boy Scouting encourages boys' spiritual growth by teaching them moral and ethical values and encouraging them to live by the spiritual values of their families.

Good citizenship:

Boy Scouting helps a boy develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship by promoting interest in good government and civic affairs and teaching them to take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social, and moral welfare of the community.  A majority of parents report that Boy Scouting helped their sons - Get along with others, - Respect the feelings of others - Improve their social skills - Become better organized/ tidy - Respect the environment - Stay away from drugs - Be more helpful at home.

Sportsmanship and fitness:

Boy Scouting encourages good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body through hands-on experiences that help boys realize their own potential for developing and mastering new skills.

Family understanding:

Boy Scouting helps improve understanding and cohesion within the family by delivering the message to boys and their parents that manners, ethics, caring, respect, and service to one's own family are important attributes.

Respectful relationships:

Boy Scouting strengthen a boys' ability to get along with others through a strong family emphasis and by offering a structured program of learning by doing. Each member learns the value of teamwork but also takes pride in individual accomplishment. The Boy Scouting program addresses this element by providing positive role models and encouraging family togetherness. Parents and their sons  - Do projects together - Go places together - Talk together - Read together.

Personal achievement:

Boy Scouting fosters a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills--the self-confidence, fun, and sense of accomplishment boys get from skill-building activities are life skills they will take with them into adulthood.

Adventure:

Boy Scouting provides fun and exciting new things to do through a variety of challenging activities that help build fitness, character, and good citizenship traits.